Infinite Energy LLC has started land acquisition procedures that are required for wind turbine installations and building the access roads. The certain part of the required land parcels are privately held and we decided to start off with meetings with affected population and explain and deliver the project concept in plain language before negotiating the terms of the purchase. Today, 08 Feb 2018, we met landowners from Korbouli municipality. Korbouli borders with Imereti wind farm territory from the western end.Due to the high interest of local population towards the current progress of the project, unaffected people were also participating in hearings. The mayor of Sachkhere municipality, head and members of the city council also attended the meeting. The main concerns expressed by the locals included:
- whether the newly landowner, if the parcel sold, will surround the territory with a fence that may limit the free movement of the livestock and human beings about the wind turbines.
- why company intends to purchase the land larger than the foundation of the turbine.
- whether there is an option to selling the land, for example, the long-term lease.
- whether the purchase price is set equally for all.
- whether the wind energy is harmful to the health of human beings or nature.
- what are the grid connection options for the Imereti WPP
- what are the employment opportunities during construction and afterward
The representatives of the company presented the billboards and pictures of similar turbine installations on the identical landscape to provide the understanding of how the installed turbine may look like. The company representatives answered all outstanding questions:
- the territory of the turbine will not be surrounded by the fence as it does not provide the benefit for any.
- land parcels larger than the turbine foundation is required during assembly and installation only. The relatively small area front of the turbine shall remain in use during turbine operation, for example, during maintenance.
- The company has offered two options to the attendees: a. long-term lease (up to 30 years) type of an arrangement; b. direct purchase. After short discussions, most of the attendees preferred the direct purchase, as the payment occurs immediately.
- The purchase price is derived on per square meter basis and is identical for everybody.
- All benefits of wind energy were clearly communicated, including zero negative impact on the environment and the health of the human beings.
- Two grid connection options were presented:
- Cutting into 500 kV TL Kartli-2 and construction of 500 kV substation on site
- Connecting to Zestaponi 500/220/110 kV substation via Chiatura 5 substation and construction of new OHL from site to Zestaponi.
Pros and Cons of each option were briefly discussed as well.
- Company representatives described the wind turbine construction process. It was also mentioned, that construction process may employ as much as 300 personas and during operation of the wind power plant 70 permanent and skilled jobs will be created locally.
The meeting was very fruitful. The local population welcomes the new initiative very much as it is scalable and acknowledge the benefits the Sachkhere city may receive after the realization of the project. The special thanks are given to the Mayor of Sachkhere municipality, head and members of the city council and Korbouli municipality governor for attending the meeting, for allowing the premises and supporting the project.
